2021, dance, organize, organizing, organizing tips, parenting

Dance Recital Organization Hacks

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on Dance Recital Organization Hacks

We are a dance family. Both of our daughters take numerous dance classes and are competitive dancers. As a result, their recent recital consisted of 12 costume changes…eight for Emorie and four for Aubrey. To keep them all straight and minimize time between numbers, I chose to purchase a rolling rack.

1. Rolling garment rack

At rehearsal, we tried to keep all the costumes and shoes in a large rolling duffle. It worked to an extent, but it did get difficult at times. So instead, I bought a $10 rolling rack at Walmart and hung the costumes in the order of the dances. I hung a ziplock bag with shoes and accessories on each hanger. This made costume changes so much easier!

2. Cosmetic bag

Amazon.com, $14

We have a large cosmetic case similar to this one. It’s huge and it holds their hairspray, hairbrush, hair ties, mirror and their makeup. We use the smaller one to hold the hair pins, safety pins and the smaller items.

3. Multipurpose closet hooks

Walmart, $7

We use these hooks to hang our mirror and cosmetic bags onto the closet rod so we will have them close at hand.

4. Small handheld mirror

Amazon, $9

This mirror is magnifying and lighted…and you can fold it up! It travels easily and is very handy. Get you one!

I highly recommend you get all of these things to make your recital run more smoothly. They made our experience so much more organized and less stressful.

2021, Blogging, life as a lumber, parenting, what's new

Life as a Lumber: What We’ve Been Up To

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on Life as a Lumber: What We’ve Been Up To

Boy, was THIS school year one for the books. It wasn’t necessarily a bad year, however it was completely different from what we are used to. I did have a wonderful group of boys and girls in my class this year and that made it easier.

In fact, this is why my posts have been few and far between. This school year has been draining and I really didn’t have any extra energy to spend on the blog. Now that summer is here, I’m looking forward to returning to blogging.

Here’s what we have been up to lately.

Our sweet girls enjoyed Vacation Bible School at our church. They had a blast and they learned so much.
Our dance season ended with an amazing recital- the girls have had a wonderful season despite the Covid challenges and they’ve learned so much.
Our garden is doing well. It would do better if the deer would stop eating it. We are putting up a new fence today.
These things are growing up. We should have eggs before the end of summer.

Join us this week for some super awesome blog posts!! It’s good to be back.

2021, holidays, memorial day

Happy Memorial Day!

by LumberInMyMiniVanLeave a Comment on Happy Memorial Day!

Freedom isn’t free, and while we are observing Memorial Day, our office will be closed. We will resume our regular posting schedule on Tuesday, June 1. Thank you, and God bless you.

2021, DIY, farm, for less, pets, project planning, projects, repurpose, Woodwork

Scrap wood Challenge: a plan-less chicken coop or rabbit hutch

by LumberInMyMiniVan2 Comments on Scrap wood Challenge: a plan-less chicken coop or rabbit hutch

I never like to build anything without a plan- it’s so difficult and something always turns out wrong. BUT- is it really a scrap wood challenge if you use a plan? It’s still challenging, but building on the fly is a whole ‘nother level of challenging. It’s aggravating.

I knew from looking at a neighbor’s chicken coop about what design I wanted. So I started by creating the bottom with four four by fours cut at 30 inches long. I cut my 1x4s to 24 inches and built a frame. I then used two 1×12 shelf boards to build the nesting box. I cut the sides and the divider to 12 inches and cut one to 30 inches to form the back of the nesting box. I also added a 1×4 board frame to the bottom of the legs for stability and to add the wire later on.

I then added plywood to the bottom, top, and added a floor to the inside of the nesting box. I also created a small door for the coop.

Then, I added a 1×4 frame “chicken run” to the outside of the coop. I also added a plywood roof to the top.

And my youngest daughter decided she should try out the chicken run. 🙂 We started adding wire to the outside until we completely covered the open areas with wire.

And then we added hardware to the doors and egg hatch.

Three coats of paint and several shingles later, we ended up with the final product…which I will show you next week 🙂

Have a wonderful week!! We will see you Wednesday for school lunch ideas and on Friday for Farmhouse Friday.

2021, Blogging, children, family, life as a lumber, Personal, Sunday Musings

Sunday Musings: Life as a Lumber

by LumberInMyMiniVan2 Comments on Sunday Musings: Life as a Lumber

I hope everyone had a blessed week- we had spring break, so I chose to take a week off from blogging to focus on my family and getting a few things done around the house. It was a much needed break and I feel so much better.

I’m happy to be back at it again, from work to blogging. I’d like to share what we’ve been doing with you.

1. We went to church

We have been listening online to a local church for more than a year, and on Easter Sunday, we visited in person for the first time. We had a wonderful experience there and will attend again. It was wonderful to be back in God’s house again amongst other believers.

2. Our greenhouse is thriving

I’ll be the first to admit- I often just DO things without researching or reading the directions. Sometimes it works out well and sometimes it doesn’t. This greenhouse is only slightly different: I researched a bit, but I am mostly learning by doing. So far, it’s working well. We will plant our garden at the end of the month.

3. We plowed a bigger garden

Last year, the garden we grew was a little two small in square footage. Our veggies grew too close together, which often meant that we missed ripened veggies since we couldn’t see them. This year, we tilled a much larger area than we actually need so we can spread things out. We use a Wizard chain-driven tiller I inherited from my grandpa. It is older than I am but it works great. It’s a workout for sure, but I know he’d be happy to know we are using it. Plus, he has a hand in my garden, even though he isn’t here physically.

We will plow the garden one more time before planting.

4. Back to school!

Miss E went back to school this week- as in back in the building to school. In class. In person. She resisted a bit at first, but I think she is happy to be back. I’m also getting ready to get most of my students back four days a week.

5. The chickens went outside!!

Our chicken littles are no longer living in a wash tub in our bathroom- they have transitioned to our coop! I think they are much happier living outside. I’m much happier not finding chickens flying around my bathroom.

Have a wonderful week, everyone! Join us for the following articles this week:

1. Scrap wood challenge: chicken coop/rabbit hutch part one

2. Healthy school lunch ideas

3. Farmhouse Friday: spring decor roundup

Have a wonderful week!